Texas A&M has cracked the Top 10 nationally after a 3-0 start to the campaign, it’s worth noting they jumped seven full spots in the AP Poll this week. While the Aggies feature volume in the passing game, the Razorbacks hang their hat on something much more important – efficiency. Prior to last season, the Hogs coach addressed an assembly of Texas high school coaches, telling them that teams playing without a fullback or airing it out 70 times a game were destined to get their tails kicked by his club and their more physical brand of play. The Aggies also have a four-game winning streak over the Razorbacks and the victor of Saturday night’s contest should have a strong case as the No. 2 team in the SEC.
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Arkansas has won both previous home games to start the year, although it nearly did not start accordingly. Williams was on his way into the end zone on Arkansas’ next drive before he was separated from the ball by safety Armani Watts, who also fell on the fumble at A&M’s 1.
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin could do without the in-game suspense this time around.
It’s another season and it’s another promising Aggie start. So far, so good. The Aggies fell behind Auburn early last week but swiftly took control of the game and out-scored Auburn 26-9 the remaining three quarters.
He was a ideal fit, but in Year 1, the Aggies jumped to just 11th from 13th in the SEC in defensive yards per play.
Arkansas: Razorbacks head home for their final nonconference game next Saturday against FCS team Alcorn State. These two teams were previously conference foes in the Southwest Conference and did not play after the Razorbacks left for the SEC in 1992. Petrino’s pitfall prefaced 2012 Heisman Trophy victor Johnny Manziel’s reign as quarterback of Texas A&M.
The triumph leaves A&M with a chance to secure its third consecutive 5-0 start under Sumlin with a victory next week at SC. “Obviously a huge, huge play”. The junior defensive end has 27 career sacks with three already this season.
Defensively, Texas A&M will attempt to contain Allen and force him into uncharacteristic mistakes with a playmaking secondary and the heralded defensive end duo of Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall.
On Saturday night? The Aggies held the Razorbacks to a mere 120 rushing yards and a pedestrian 3 yards per carry.
Like I said, it would be hard for me to pick against a Nick Saban coached Alabama team, but Arkansas was my darkhorse pick and I continue to stand by that.it’s for that reason that i’d give Arkansas a chance against Alabama, Especially with that game being in Fayetteville.
“I think he was about ready to break one”, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. The Razorbacks have shuffled this group over the last two weeks and seem to be finding the right mix. The Aggie defense will shut down the Arkansas running game and force Austin Allen to beat them. He is the brother of former starting quarterback Brandon Allen. The recruiting along the line has been spotty the last couple of years with the Hogs missing on some top prospects and Sam Pittman’s untimely departure, and some of the more highly-rated prospects Arkansas has signed haven’t come along as hoped.
Whether it’s Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith and the defensive assistants projecting the plays that senior defensive linemen Deatrich Wise and Jeremiah Ledbetter make, or Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos counting on the line opening holes for running back Rawleigh Williams to establish the ground game opening Allen for eventual play-action passes to Sprinkle, Hatcher and wideouts Drew Morgan and Dominique Reed, the Hogs brass will have some numbers in mind. Knight has played fairly well in each of A&M’s marquee match-ups against UCLA and at Auburn.
Keon Hatcher wasn’t sure at first what to expect from an unplanned fifth season at Arkansas. Will this unit have the same amount of success against an active and stout Arkansas defensive line? A&M still struggles to stop the run and Trevor Knight is not as good as advertised.
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Not only do the Aggies appear to have found themselves a lead back with explosiveness in Williams, the defense continues to impress.
